Pre-Release VIVITROL for Opioid Dependent Inmates

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
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Naltrexone is a medication that has been shown to help prevent relapse to opioid addiction and it has been reported to be clinically effective in parolee populations although it is rarely used. Recently a depot formulation with one-month duration has received FDA approval for the treatment of alcoholism and opiate dependence. This means that rather than having to take medication daily, individuals can receive one injection that lasts for approximately 30 days. The purpose of this study is to determine whether this monthly injection of naltrexone is practical and useful in the prevention of relapse to opioids and re-incarceration when administered to inmates prior to release from prison. The investigators will also monitor HIV risk behaviors to determine whether the intervention reduces risky behaviors associated with intravenous drug abuse and the spread of viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C. Volunteers will be randomized to receive an injection of depot naltrexone prior to release from prison or to contact study personnel in the community following release. Participants assigned to receive naltrexone in prison will receive 1 injection in prison, and 5 additional monthly injections for 5 months upon release. Participants assigned to contact study personnel upon release will receive all 6 injections in the community at RIH after their release from the ACI. Patients in both groups will be given identical follow up monthly for six months including measures of opiate use by self-report, and urine tests. An additional scheduled urine test will take place each month between monthly visits. There will also be a 12-month follow-up period for participants in both groups, which will consist of 2 visits, spaced 6 months apart, meaning that participants will be enrolled in the study for a total of about 18 months. All participants will be asked to complete brief questionnaires at follow-up visits to assess things such as services received, drug use, and depression.

VIVITROL (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension) is supplied as a microsphere formulation of naltrexone for suspension, at a dose of 4cc (380mg of naltrexone base), administered by intramuscular injection to the buttocks (alternating sides monthly) for six months.

Other Name: VIVITROL

Study Arms

Experimental: PRE-release XR-NTX

Participants randomly assigned to the pre-release condition will receive one injection of XR-NTX 1-2 weeks prior to prison release plus up to five additional injections of XR-NTX in the community after release

Currently opioid free by history ('detoxed'), with negative urine for all opioids and no sign of opiate withdrawal after IV (or IM if no available venous access) injection of 0.8 mg naloxone.

Good health by medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests.

Age older than 18.

Understands and signs a consent form.

Able to speak and understand English.

Females: not pregnant (urine hCG negative at baseline and prior to each injection), not planning conception; and planning appropriate contraception if sexually active.

Exclusion Criteria:

Current drug or alcohol dependence requiring long term residential treatment that would interfere with outpatient study participation. Dependence on substances that commonly co-occur with opioid dependence (e.g. cocaine, cannabis, alcohol) that do not rise to this level of severity will not be exclusionary in order to achieve a maximally representative sample.